Kimmins publishes consultation report on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in New Housing Developments
Date published:
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has published a report on the outcome of the public consultation on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in New Housing Developments.
Speaking today at a workshop organised by The Rivers Trust as part of the Ofwat-funded Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions Programme, Liz Kimmins said:
“It is encouraging that the outcome of this public consultation is strongly supportive of my Department’s proposed policy direction to incorporate nature-based SuDS features in new housing developments to manage rainwater locally. Natural SuDS features such as grassed swales, raingardens and detention ponds help hold, slow and clean rainwater before it flows into a river or sewer. They also offer additional environmental and amenity benefits.
“The widespread implementation of nature-based SuDS will be an important measure in managing flood risk, limiting the impact of new developments on the existing drainage networks across the region and tackling the challenges of climate change.”
The next step will be further development of the detailed regulatory arrangements needed to support delivery of the nature-based SuDS policy proposals, with a view to consulting later in the year on preferred options for design standards, approval, maintenance, ownership and funding.
The Minister concluded:
“My Department’s Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill, which is currently progressing through the Assembly, will help to deliver better drainage infrastructure in the future. Integrating nature-based drainage solutions into future housing developments will help to protect the water quality of our rivers and loughs, improve the future performance of our sewerage systems and help reduce the risk of flooding.
“The consultation has provided valuable evidence and insights, and I thank everyone that took the time to respond - this will help to ensure that the future policy on SuDS in new housing developments is effective, practical and meets stakeholders’ expectations.”
The report can be viewed at Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in New Housing Developments – Consultation Report
Notes to editors:
- The proposed powers provided in the new Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill, which is currently going through the Assembly, will allow the Department to make regulations in relation to the design, approval, operation and maintenance of nature-based SuDS.
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